The Miami Times 2013 Year in Review

Obama, 2012 Time Person of the Year: Although President Obama’s second inaugural lacked the historical weight of his first, his presidency unveiled his widespread health insurance plan for Americans dubbed Obamacare. A major source of controversy due to its flawed website, Obamacare was a much discussed, bi-partisan topic. Later, he battled Congress on such issues as the sequestration and government shutdown, and spoke candidly about issues like privacy as it relates to the NSA leaks, immigration, same-sex marriages and Nelson Mandela’s legacy.

Violent youth continue to wreak havoc: Young people and guns proved to be a lethal combination both here in Miami and across the nation. The deaths of collegiate Kori Clark and a Liberty City young woman at the hand of gun violence sparked Miami’s gun buyback initiative. Miami police attributed much of the increased criminal activity to unscrupulous young adults, many of whom are members of gangs that make their money on drug sales and will do whatever is necessary to maintain control.

Remembering Haiti’s fallen: South Florida’s Haitian community is reflective throughout Miami-Dade County. County Commissioner Jean Monestime facilitated a community discussion at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in North Miami reflecting on the third anniversary of the earthquake that killed 300,000 Haitians and left another million-plus displaced. The venue included special speaker Haiti’s Counsel General Francois Guillaume, and a tribute to the four students and two professors who died in the quake. from Lynn University.

Rick Ross crashes car after gun shots: Even rappers aren’t immune to gun violence. While cruising in his Rolls Royce with then girlfriend fashion designer Shateria L. Moragne-el, Rick Ross reportedly heard multiple shots fired in their direction at around 5:00 am in Ft. Lauderdale’s financial district. The rapper lost control and crashed his silver Rolls into an apartment building.

Crooked cops: Officers James & Dauphin facing charges: Police Chief Manuel Orosa said he wanted to remove dirty cops from his department and along with the Department of Justice cracked down on South Florida’s crooked cops. Veteran officer Nathaniel Dauphin was accused of extortion while a narcotics sergeant was convicted of corruption in a federal trial.

FEBRUARY

New stamp honors Rosa Parks: To commemorate late civil rights activist Rosa Parks, Michigan’s political elite honored her legacy by unveiling a postage stamp on what would have been her 100th birthday. The recognition took place steps from the Alabama bus on which Parks stared down segregation nearly 60 years ago. The Parks stamp is the second in a set of three civil rights stamps, including the Emancipation Proclamation Forever stamp and the 1963 March on Washington stamp, that were issued by the U.S. Postal Service this year.

Crooked cops: Officers James & Dauphin facing charges: Police Chief Manuel Orosa said he wanted to remove dirty cops from his department and with the help of Internal Affairs and the FBI dismantled a gang of 10 officers suspected of providing protection to a Liberty City gambling ring and other crimes. Veteran officer Nathaniel Dauphin was the first to be apprehended accused of extortion, while a narcotics sergeant was convicted of corruption in a federal trial through the aide of the Department of Justice.